With the release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A for the Nintendo Switch, competitive battles have once again surged in popularity across the global player base.
Developed by Game Freak and published by The Pokémon Company, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings an updated metagame and streamlined training mechanics, making it simpler than ever for trainers to fully EV and IV train their Pokémon.
Whether you’re climbing the ranked ladder or testing your skills in online events, selecting the right team is key.
Here, we spotlight the most dominant and effective Pokémon in the current competitive environment, covering their best move options, item choices, and strategic applications. ### Garchomp: The Premier Ranked Choice At the forefront of online ranked battles is Garchomp, frequently topping competitive tier lists in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Notably, it’s the standard version of Garchomp—not its Mega evolution—that is leading the charge.
Commonly paired with a Focus Sash, Garchomp can survive a critical Ice or Fairy-type attack, ensuring it gets another powerful move before exiting the field.
Alternative items such as Assault Vest or Yache Berry also see substantial use, boosting its already impressive bulk.
Garchomp’s high base Attack and solid defensive stats make it an all-around threat.
Moves like Outrage, Dragon Rush, Iron Tail, Earthquake, Iron Head, Dig, and Swords Dance let Garchomp maintain pressure against many common choices, particularly the frequently encountered Steel-types in competitive play. ### Metagross: Defensive Powerhouse Metagross and its Mega Evolution are staples in the Z-A competitive circuit.
Mega Metagross boasts an exceptional balance of offensive and defensive stats and is a regular fixture in most online matches.
With access to pivotal moves like Heavy Slam, Thunder Punch, Ice Punch, Earthquake, and Explosion, Metagross can shape outcomes decisively.
The strategic use of Explosion allows it to deny opponents points while dealing significant damage across the board.
Regular Metagross often carries an Assault Vest to bolster its defenses further, with Shuca Berry and Expert Belt offering additional flexibility.
Trainers are advised to prepare strong Ground-type moves to counter this persistent adversary. ### Xerneas: Legendary Offense As of Season 2, both Xerneas and Yveltal have joined the online arena.
Xerneas stands out as the premier Legendary Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, frequently leveraging a Quick Claw to accelerate its setup.
Its signature move, Geomancy, significantly boosts Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed, though it does require a setup turn.
When Quick Claw activates, those boosts can occur instantly, enabling powerful follow-up attacks like Moonblast.
Additional coverage via Thunder, Thunderbolt, Focus Blast, or Psychic ensures versatility.
While Xerneas faces challenges against Metagross and Steel-types, its bulk and offensive prowess allow it to hold its own in most matchups. ### Glaceon: The Surprising Specialist Though not traditionally considered a top-tier threat, Glaceon’s viability in Pokémon Legends: Z-A has increased thanks to strategic itemization.
When equipped with a Never-Melt-Ice, Glaceon’s Freeze-Dry becomes a major problem for threats like Garchomp and Gyarados.
With high Special Attack and respectable defenses, Glaceon is a formidable force when played carefully, though trainers should be cautious and switch out if facing Metagross. ### Gyarados: Flexibility in Form Both standard and Mega Gyarados are popular picks for online battles.
Standard Gyarados takes the edge, maintaining the option to hold a Wacan Berry to reduce Electric-type damage.
Key moves include Waterfall, Bounce, Earthquake, and Iron Tail, with Bounce allowing Gyarados to strike from unexpected positions.
Mega Gyarados gains the move Crunch, strengthening its matchup against Metagross, though its new weaknesses upon Mega Evolution require careful consideration. ### Excadrill: Versatile Attacker Excadrill and its Mega form are consistent contenders thanks to flexible item choices such as Focus Sash, weakness berries, or Life Orb.
Earthquake, Swords Dance, and Iron Head form a base of offensive capabilities, with Mega Excadrill benefitting from a boost to Attack.
While Excadrill’s own Ground weakness poses a risk, its damage output and typing make it indispensable for many trainers. Alongside these leading options, other formidable Pokémon such as Chandelure, Ampharos, Hippowdon, Yveltal, and Mega Skarmory are making appearances across online battles.
As the competitive community continues to evolve, these Pokémon set the standard for ranked play in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
For further insights, strategies, and community-sourced movesets, stay tuned to Nintendo news platforms and official Pokémon resources.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A and its dynamic online environment are now available on the Nintendo Switch and via the Nintendo eShop.
Developed by Game Freak and published by The Pokémon Company, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings an updated metagame and streamlined training mechanics, making it simpler than ever for trainers to fully EV and IV train their Pokémon.
Whether you’re climbing the ranked ladder or testing your skills in online events, selecting the right team is key.
Here, we spotlight the most dominant and effective Pokémon in the current competitive environment, covering their best move options, item choices, and strategic applications. ### Garchomp: The Premier Ranked Choice At the forefront of online ranked battles is Garchomp, frequently topping competitive tier lists in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Notably, it’s the standard version of Garchomp—not its Mega evolution—that is leading the charge.
Commonly paired with a Focus Sash, Garchomp can survive a critical Ice or Fairy-type attack, ensuring it gets another powerful move before exiting the field.
Alternative items such as Assault Vest or Yache Berry also see substantial use, boosting its already impressive bulk.
Garchomp’s high base Attack and solid defensive stats make it an all-around threat.
Moves like Outrage, Dragon Rush, Iron Tail, Earthquake, Iron Head, Dig, and Swords Dance let Garchomp maintain pressure against many common choices, particularly the frequently encountered Steel-types in competitive play. ### Metagross: Defensive Powerhouse Metagross and its Mega Evolution are staples in the Z-A competitive circuit.
Mega Metagross boasts an exceptional balance of offensive and defensive stats and is a regular fixture in most online matches.
With access to pivotal moves like Heavy Slam, Thunder Punch, Ice Punch, Earthquake, and Explosion, Metagross can shape outcomes decisively.
The strategic use of Explosion allows it to deny opponents points while dealing significant damage across the board.
Regular Metagross often carries an Assault Vest to bolster its defenses further, with Shuca Berry and Expert Belt offering additional flexibility.
Trainers are advised to prepare strong Ground-type moves to counter this persistent adversary. ### Xerneas: Legendary Offense As of Season 2, both Xerneas and Yveltal have joined the online arena.
Xerneas stands out as the premier Legendary Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, frequently leveraging a Quick Claw to accelerate its setup.
Its signature move, Geomancy, significantly boosts Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed, though it does require a setup turn.
When Quick Claw activates, those boosts can occur instantly, enabling powerful follow-up attacks like Moonblast.
Additional coverage via Thunder, Thunderbolt, Focus Blast, or Psychic ensures versatility.
While Xerneas faces challenges against Metagross and Steel-types, its bulk and offensive prowess allow it to hold its own in most matchups. ### Glaceon: The Surprising Specialist Though not traditionally considered a top-tier threat, Glaceon’s viability in Pokémon Legends: Z-A has increased thanks to strategic itemization.
When equipped with a Never-Melt-Ice, Glaceon’s Freeze-Dry becomes a major problem for threats like Garchomp and Gyarados.
With high Special Attack and respectable defenses, Glaceon is a formidable force when played carefully, though trainers should be cautious and switch out if facing Metagross. ### Gyarados: Flexibility in Form Both standard and Mega Gyarados are popular picks for online battles.
Standard Gyarados takes the edge, maintaining the option to hold a Wacan Berry to reduce Electric-type damage.
Key moves include Waterfall, Bounce, Earthquake, and Iron Tail, with Bounce allowing Gyarados to strike from unexpected positions.
Mega Gyarados gains the move Crunch, strengthening its matchup against Metagross, though its new weaknesses upon Mega Evolution require careful consideration. ### Excadrill: Versatile Attacker Excadrill and its Mega form are consistent contenders thanks to flexible item choices such as Focus Sash, weakness berries, or Life Orb.
Earthquake, Swords Dance, and Iron Head form a base of offensive capabilities, with Mega Excadrill benefitting from a boost to Attack.
While Excadrill’s own Ground weakness poses a risk, its damage output and typing make it indispensable for many trainers. Alongside these leading options, other formidable Pokémon such as Chandelure, Ampharos, Hippowdon, Yveltal, and Mega Skarmory are making appearances across online battles.
As the competitive community continues to evolve, these Pokémon set the standard for ranked play in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
For further insights, strategies, and community-sourced movesets, stay tuned to Nintendo news platforms and official Pokémon resources.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A and its dynamic online environment are now available on the Nintendo Switch and via the Nintendo eShop.
